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Abstract

A gas sensor (10) exposed by diffusion to a gas flow and operable to measure the presence of a particular gas component of the gas flow. The sensor (10) comprises a base (20), a diffuser (34), a radiant energy source (36), a radiant energy detector (38), and a detection chamber (40). The base (20) is a printed circuit board (PCB) to which the source (36), detector (38), and other electronics are mounted. The diffuser (34) is interposed between the gas flow and the detection chamber (40). Thus, rather than directly exposing the source (36), detector (38), and other electronics to the full force of the gas flow, the gas is passed to and from the detection chamber (40) by diffusion. The diffuser (34) comprises a filter (35), an air gap (44), and plurality of diffusion holes (46). The filter (35) is further operable to remove harmful materials, such as volatile organic compounds (VOCs), from the gas prior to measurement. The source (36) and detector (38) are located within the detection chamber (40). The source (36) radiates energy having a particular characteristic such that the energy is proportionally absorbed by the gas component. The detector (38) measures the presence of any unabsorbed energy and generates an output signal indicative thereof. The difference between the amount of detected energy and a pre-established reference value indicates the amount of the particular gas component present in the gas flow. The detection chamber (40) is coated with a material known to reflect the radiated energy.

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